WARNING: Long post ahead! Happy reading!
I transferred to a 4-year university from a junior college, and boy, did the tuition expenses go up! I was pretty much on my own to cover the finances because my parents couldn't afford the tuition. Thank God for school loans! My parents asked if I would go Greek; I said no. I just knew I couldn't afford to join one of the 8NPC groups on campus, even though I had been wanting to be a part of a sisterhood.
Fastforward to 6 months after graduation: I was surfing the internet, hoping to find a women's organization I could join. I wanted to meet other women, as well as perform some volunteer work. I came across Alpha Omicron Pi's alumnae initiation link. I thought, "Alumnae initiation? What's that?" So I checked out the link, and to my surprise and delight I discovered that it was not too late for me to join a sorority! I decided to research the different NPC sororities by checking out their websites.
Out of all the groups I researched, I was interested in 4 including Alpha Phi. Incidentally enough my alma mater has no Alpha Phi chapter. I e-mailed each local alumnae chapter president. Only one responded--- the president of the local Alpha Phi alumnae chapter! Not only did she respond, but her response was prompt! Her e-mail was enthusiastic and genuine. She invited me to attend their upcoming events.
The first event I attended was a book club meeting. I was excited, but nervous! I met 7 ladies that night, most of them around my age. The president is only a year older than me. Anyway, they welcomed me with open arms! Initially most of them asked which collegiate chapter I belonged to. This was no rush event, but I truly felt at home with these women. I knew I could call them my sisters!
I kept coming back to the group's events, while keeping the other 3 organizations in mind still. But the more I attended, the more I liked Alpha Phi. So, 5 months after meeting the group, I approached the president about possibly sponsoring me for alumna initiation; she gladly obliged!
About 3 weeks before initiation, I received an e-mail from one of the other groups I contacted. The alumnae relations officer from the local chapter asked if I was still interested in joining their organization, since she said they're always looking for good alumna initiates. (The organization does have a chapter at my alma mater. The ladies were well-liked on campus.) I e-mailed back to say no thanks, and explained my situation.
Now I'm so happy to be an Alpha Phi! I missed the Greek life as an undergrad, but maybe it happened for a reason...